Being thin is not more important than enjoying life

I've got no problems with my age. I rejoice in the knowledge I have accrued and savor the greatest moments, because I know how fast it goes.

There's so much that you can get mad about. Out of self-preservation, I focus on being grateful.

Surviving and thriving in the wake of my mothers loss, I learned to believe in God. He has a plan, if you pay attention to the signs. I am inspired by the absolute proof of miracles.

A guy at ABC told me to change my name and get a nose job. I said 'You get a nose job.'

Adoption was a bumpy ride - very bumpy. But, God, was it worth the fight.

You survived the abuse, you’re going to survive the recovery.

By coming forward and sharing your story, you don't know the countless lives you change.

I think God runs the show. Completely. Life proves it every day: He runs the show.

I'm a size 8, and I feel proud of that, because it's healthy. I've never felt compelled to be a skinny actress.

Just having someone make you laugh so hard that it hurts is so healing to me.

In life you have two choices. You can laugh or you can cry. You have to laugh, you have to.

But trust can take you a long way. And my faith takes me a long way. And I think that our pains, our vulnerabilities, and our insecurities can fuel us to be better. To try harder. To dig deeper.

You've got to kick fear to the side, because the payoff is huge.

Humor is about perspective, and hanging out with people who see life through a similar lens is so important.

Healing takes time, and asking for help is a courageous step.

Sexual assault and domestic violence are difficult things to talk about. Talk about them anyway.

Being sexy is just one part of being a woman and an actress. But if the part calls for sexy...

We're all connected. Helping another woman is helping yourself, your mother, your sister, your children.

People who overcome their fears every day, without fanfare, without recognition. Quiet, everyday courage, that’s what I admire most.

If I can play a little part in the world's healing, and making it a better place than when I came, then I just thank God for that chance.

No one can tell you who you are and what you are made of, only you yourself know what you are made of, and only you yourself can do the work to become who you want to be.

I don't have to be an expert. I just have to care.

It's a life's journey of finding ourselves, finding our power, and living for yourself, not for everyone else.

No one can take away your pain, so don't let anyone take away your happiness.

I think one of the mistakes actors make is we're so focused on what we're going to say.

I look at all the things life has allowed me to do, and I feel like the luckiest person in the world.

Life begins at 40, and I'm living proof.

I think because I became a mom later in life, everything in life means more.

I have a nest egg, and I don't buy above my means.

I realize that you have to show up for your life.

I am grateful that I didn't let fear get the best of me. It only holds you back from possibilities and greatness.

It's very difficult leaving the house anytime with my baby at home.

It's a new skill to have two children that want you at the same time.

I have everything I need. Our house is very joyful.

I get very excited about my double stroller. Every time I look at it, I get a shot of adrenaline and joy because I think, This is real!

My heart just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

When we're on the street and someone drops something, I pick it up.

When I was pregnant, I was so huge and people on the bus would get up for me. That made me feel so precious and valued and valuable. I try to treat everyone like they're pregnant.

Having a child changes everything. All of a sudden you have so much to lose, so much to live for.

Sometimes things in life happen that allow us to understand our priorities very clearly. Ultimately you can see those as gifts.

I was lucky enough to have a father who said, 'Don't quit.' So I just kept going.

Becoming a parent erased many of my negative childhood feelings and filled them in with something new.

Of course everyone says they hate baby talk, but mine was not annoying.

Everything has combined to make my life in New York an amazing experience. I told my manager a few years ago that I wanted to move here and try acting in the theater.

There's the occasional script that just hammers you, that you can't shower off.

I have so much love that I didn't even know about.

When I read the script sometimes, it's like 'Christ! Enough!' I can't sleep at night sometimes. There's the occasional script that just hammers you, that you can't shower off.

As an actress, there were so many months, years even, when I didn't get work, when I wanted to quit.

When I was in my early 20s, I had my hair permed. Bad idea! It turned into total frizz. My advice to women is, if you have nice hair already, don't get a perm, leave your hair alone!